A popular designer who had his heyday from the late 1940s into the 1970s, Harvey Probber is one of the post-war American creative spirits whose work has been recently rediscovered by collectors. His designs are by-and-large simple and elegant, but his signal achievement was to pioneer one of the key innovations of mid-20th century furniture: sectional, or modular, seating.
Even as a teenager, the Brooklyn-born Probber was making sketches of furniture designs — and selling them to Manhattan furniture companies. He began working as a designer for an upholsterer once he finished high school and, apart from a few evening classes he took as an adult at Pratt Institute, he was self-taught about design and furniture making.
After wartime service — and a stint as a lounge singer — Probber founded his own company in the late 1940s. A lifelong familiarity with the needs of New York–apartment dwellers doubtless sparked his most noteworthy creation: a line of seating pieces in basic geometric shapes — wedges, squares, half-circles — that could be arranged and combined as needed. Modular furniture remained the core idea of Probber’s business throughout his career.
As a self-trained designer, Probber was never wed to any particular aesthetic. He preferred the simple lines now associated with mid-century modernism for their inherent practicality, but often used hardware to enliven the look of his pieces, or added elements — such as a ceramic insert in the center of a round dining table — that was visually interesting and could serve as a trivet. He gravitated toward bright fabrics with attractive, touchable textures that might be satin-like or nubbly. Above all, Probber insisted that the sofas, case goods and other products that came out of his Fall River, Massachusetts, factory be built to last.
“The quality of aging gracefully,” Probber once told an interviewer, is “design's fourth dimension.” This quality he realized: Probber furniture is just as useful and alluring now as it was when made — and maybe even more stylish.
Find a collection of vintage Harvey Probber side tables, sectional sofas, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Walnut Coffee Table with Stone Insert by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Atlanta, GA
A circular coffee or center table by Harvey Probber for Harvey Probber, Inc. circa 1958. The walnut top feature a central insert and two stone discs are available: one terrazzo and t...
Marble, Brass
Harvey Probber Round Walnut Game Center Table with Travertine Insert
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber round walnut game or center table with travertine insert.
Travertine, Brass
Harvey Probber Marble Top Rectangular Coffee Table w/ Brass Rectangular stretche
By Harvey Probber, Knoll
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern rectangular coffee table by Harvey Probber. Nice around perimeter solid brass stretcher.
Marble, Brass
Harvey Probber Rosewood Top & Mahogany Legs Rectangular Parson Coffee Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber rosewood top with contrasting mahogany legs rectangular coffee table. Label
Mahogany, Rosewood
"Teoca" Coffee Table with Marble Top
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Teoca" coffee table is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archetypical modern f...
Hardwood
$2,672 / item
H 13.78 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
Organic Modern Center Table Jean in Natural Travertine Marble Stone
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean oval center table is unique in its conception with Organic Modern inspiration. Natural Stone is unrepeatable in its individuality, this way each Jean center table is unique fea...
Marble
Famed Brass and Marble Coffee Table
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Famed coffee table, glorified by elegant brass legs, prove that every place can wink at its style with its natural marble and wood options. The designs that instantly add modernity t...
Marble, Brass
Harvey Probber Walnut Flip Top Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Astoria, NY
Harvey Probber Walnut Flip-Top Table, upon ebonized supports. Extended: 27.75" H x 66" W x 40.25" D. Provenance: From a New York City Area Collection.
Walnut
$1,556Sale Price|59% Off
H 19.69 in W 33.47 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Italian Coffee Table with Marble Top, 'circa 1950s'
By Ico Parisi
Located in London, GB
Mid-century Italian coffee table with marble top in the style of Ico Parisi (1950s). A tan with white highlights, rectangular (with curved ends) marble top sits upon a very stylish b...
Marble
Harvey Probber Nuclear Mid Century Mahogany Coffee Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber Nuclear Mid Century Mahogany Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 47.5 wide x 47.5 deep x 14 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Table is Heavily Worn with Vene...
Mahogany
Octagonal Travertine and Marble Coffee Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Lynn, MA
Large coffee table by Harvey Probber. Ebonized wooden base with travertine and marble top with a octagonal brass centered inlay.
Travertine
Long Rectangular Walnut Coffee Table w/ Two Travertine Inserts
By Paul McCobb, Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern long rectangle gate leg coffee walnut coffee table w/ two travertine inserts.
Travertine
$2,300
H 17 in W 48 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Style Black Lacquer & Terrazzo Marble Coffee-Cocktail Table 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant Mid-Century Modern coffee or cocktail table having Terrazzo marble top inserted into a black lacquered walnut frame over Sabre legs in the manner of Harvey Probber. The gr...
Terrazzo, Walnut, Lacquer
$5,100 / item
H 14.57 in Dm 35.44 in
Kanyon Coffee Table with Travertine, Contemporary Sculptural Round Walnut
By Studio Kali, Fulden Topaloglu
Located in Istanbul, TR
Kanyon is an authentic coffee table which combines functionality and sculptural posture with simplicity, beautiful materials and exquisite craftsmanship. Inspired by the topographic beauty of canyon structures, the design translates the basic topological features of canyons to a minimal and unique design language. Functionality is integral to its sculptural posture, where the U profiled gap between different table surfaces serves as a convenient and aesthetic space to store books, newspapers and magazines and the 2 level table top allows the user to arrange objects based on use, ease of access or aesthetic appeal. Produced by skilled craftsmen, Kanyon coffee table...
Stone, Travertine
Harvey Probber Walnut And Travertine Marble Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern table designed by Harvey Probber which could be used as a coffee table or gaming table. Walnut top with a travertine marble insert and an ebonized wooden base.
Marble
Sculptural Walnut and Terrazzo Coffee Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic sculptural coffee table by American design master Harvey Probber. A substantial terrazzo stone top resists even the toughest coffee stains while Persian inspired cutouts help ...
Terrazzo, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
Harvey Probber Walnut and Terrazzo Marble Game or Center Table, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern center table or game table By Harvey Probber USA, 1950s Walnut top with terrazzo insert, ebonized walnut legs, and brass-capped feet. Me...
Brass
Harvey Probber Extension Dining Table in Rosewood, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dining table model No 1287 with top in Brazilian rosewood and sculptural base in mahogany by Harvey Probber, American, 1950s. Dining table comes with three leaves. Harvey Probber's c...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Harvey Probber Dining Table with Two Leaves
By Harvey Probber
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful Harvey Probber rosewood dining table. Two leaves with apron: 16 inches wide. Ebonized base has been refinished.
Rosewood
Modern Harvey Probber Rosewood and Teak Two-Leaf Bow Tie Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Houston, TX
Gorgeous modern Harvey Probber rosewood and teak bow tie dining table. Includes two 18 inches leaves, making it perfect to expand for entertaining...
Rosewood, Teak
Games Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A good looking game table typical of the era it is slightly lower measuring 25" high. This was common since it promotes a relaxed posture and promotes lounging. The table has a white...
Brass
Harvey Probber Rosewood and Mahogany Round Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Houston, TX
Rosewood and mahogany round dining table by Harvey Probber. Large round top is in a dramatically grained rosewood. Base is in ebonized mahogany. Base has inverted arch cut outs. In e...
Rosewood
Harvey Probber Rosewood Game Table Or Center Table With Decagon Base
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber round game table with an open decagon Moorish style dark chocolate lacquered base and beautifully grained rosewood top. This would ...
Rosewood, Wood
Harvey Probber Game Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Probber design for Probber Inc. dining table, inverted arch mahogany base with bleached rosewood bookmatched veneer.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Harvey Probber Rosewood Game Table With Decagon Base
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber round game table or center table with an open decagon Moorish style dark chocolate lacquered base and beautifully grained rosewood ...
Rosewood, Wood